Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-08-26
SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE.
Recollections Of the Tragic Scenes Of
the Earlier Settlement Of
Northwest Iowa.
Erection of Memorial Tablet to the
Memory Of Old
Heroes.

One of the most notable gatherings that
ever took place in Northwest Iowa, occurred
at Webster City, Friday, August 18th, the
occasion being the erection and dedication
of beautiful historical tablet to the mem-
ory of the brave men, who in 81 risked
their lives while attempting to hid the suf-
ferers in the terrible Indian massacre at
Spirit Lake. The streets of the city were
thronged with people from the country and
adjoining counties, fully 1000 witnessing
the imposing ceremonies. Gov. Larrabee
was chosen president of the day, be ng in
troduced by Mayor L. A. McMurry. Adj
dresses were made by ex-Gov. Carpenter,
NJ. Sweeney, Lieut.. Maxwell and Chas.
Aldrich, Messrs. Duncombe, Richards, and
Laughlin, and letter read from Mrs.
Gardner Sharp, tho only survivor Of the
original settlement at Spirit Lake. The
letters and speeches were principally given
to recollections of the expedition and the
actors therein, and when reduced to print
will form very interesting pages in history.
THE TABLET Is OF POLISHED BRASS,
oblong in shape and richly and deeply en-
graved At either side is an upright panel in
which is received . palm branch symbolical
OF victory. Extending across the upper part
Is sentence quoted, and just below this Is q
panel on which is engraved in large letters,
"Roster of Company c." Then follow the
these the following: This tablet was erect
ed at the public expense, to commemorate the
patriotism, valor and sufferlngs of these gal
liant men, in one of tho severest marches re-
corded in Indian border warfare. In mem ny
also of Mrs VIM. i. Church, who shot an In
dian while defending her babes, aud of her
sister, Druscilla Swanger, who was severely
wounded" The tablet is received against
background Of gray Champlain marble. The
memorial, which is a very beautiful one, was
cesigned and executed by New York artisF.
ACCOUNT OF THE MASSACRE
1t was in the autumn of 1856 that six fam
lilies from the earlier settled portions of Iowa,
pushing far out toward the frontier, were at
lracted by the beauty Of that romantic lake
region, which to all appearance was as yet
untrod ty the foot If the white man. They
hastily put up their rude log cabins and with
pioneer courage and hopeful hearts prepared
TO pas, the winter in their newly made homes.
Their nearest trading point was Fort Dodge,
eighty miles to tho southeast. The winter
which followed their settlement was one Of un-
usual severity, snow lying on the ground dur
ing the greater part Of it to the depth Of from
fifteen to twenty feet III the course Of the
winter it became necessary to make trip for
supplies to the eastern settlements, some Of
the party going as far to the east as Waterloo.
These were tedious journeys, for they had no
means of conveyance except the slow ox-cart,
and as there had been more or less trouble
with the Indians in older settlements the alb
sence OF any OF their number was always q
season Of uneasiness to those remaining. As yet
they had seen no Indians, however, and as
time slipped by their feeling of security in
creased. Tie winter, though one Of the hard
ess was a. happy one. On the morning Of
member of which, A6bie Gardner-Sharp, still
survives to tell the pitiable story, rose earlier
than usual as it was Mr.. GARDENERS purpose to
leave that day for Fort Dodge. TAey had
just seated themselves at the breakfast table
when Sioux Indian appeared at the door. and
Cheerfuly place was given him at the table
Before the m; al was ended one Indian after
another. led by Iokpaduta, enter'd until they
numbered fourteen warriors with their squaws
and pappooses, and all with manifestations Of
friendship, asked for and were given The best
that the scanty stores afforded, the mother
and daughters Fastening to wait upon them
After their hearty meal was made they grew
sullen, demand ng other things, and pr sently
they began to snatch fire arms an ammuni-
neighbor men came in and the family commu-
nicated to them their bell that violent at
tack was intended. The neighbors thought
that tn eIndans were in pet and that If well
treated, all would be we'll. Soon after the
neighbors had returned to their homes the
Indians likewise took their departure and the
family breathed more freely. OF course the
father gave mp his intended journey. About
o'clo k the family heard the report of guns
from their neighbors' caons and they knew
kl,~k IL l. 4 nr,l4 ~ -, Il,
ability they were omed to die Earlierin
the afternoon Mr.. Luce, son-in-law Of Mr..
Gardner, whose family lived in the same cab
in, had gone out to see how it Jared with the
ne:gLbors. HIS wife had taken tearfu l leave
of him knowing that he was likely going to
his death as indeed he was.
As his absence continued and the guns were
heard, suspense became unindurable and
alb ut sunset Mr.. Gardner went out to recon-
hotter. The glorious landscape in it's dress
of snow glittered beneath the brilliant rays
Of the setting sun. Ok boji, viii h signifies
in solitary splendor. But even then the aw-
full carnival OF blood had been begun and the
next hour was to see it continued beneath the
Gardner roof Tie father came II and al
nounced that nine Indians were coming and
that they were all doomed to die He pro-
end, but the mother, still hoping for mercy.
said, eli we have to die let us g innocent of
bloods he'd"
Entering the cabin again with signs of
friendsh p they asked tor -four. Without a
word Mr.. Gardner turned to get 1T for them,
died without struggle All of the rest Of the
household save Abbie, then Il years old, were
then murdered in cold b God before her eyes,
and the poor gill begseI them to kill her also.
They admired her bravery and spared her
life. All iu that little community Tell vict ms
IN tho hand tOnr who